we can develop such a bipartisan plan perhaps in a so-called grand bargain we could devise a balance deficit reduction package for one year that avoids sequestration in fy 2014. we simply cannot continue to ignore the effect of sequestration. sequestration will have a major impact on military personnel. though the pay of military personnel has been exempted, the sequester would reduce military readiness in the services for the troops including schools for military children, family support programs and transition assistance programs and mental health and other counseling programs. the president's budget request continues a major drawdown of active duty and reserve strength. we have in recent years given the department numinous force shaping authorities to allow it to reduce its strength in a responsible way ensuring that the services maintain the proper force mix and avoiding grade and occupational disparities, all of which have long term affect. if sequestration continues, the result would be ore pripitous foe structe that is ou of t the requirements of our defense strategy. sequestration ha